For Voters Sick of Money in Politics, a New Pitch: No PAC Money Accepted

Dean Phillips, a Democrat running for Congress in Minnesota’s Third District, has foresworn all PAC donations, including those from labor unions and fellow politicians.CreditJenn Ackerman for The New York Times

EXCELSIOR, Minn. — Like many political candidates, Dean Phillips spends hours each day fund-raising and thanking his donors. But because he refuses to accept PAC money from corporations, unions or other politicians, he has adopted a unique approach.

“Norbert?” he asked on the doorstep of a man who’d donated $25 to his campaign. “I’m here with goodies!”

Mr. Phillips, who is running for Congress in the suburbs of Minneapolis, handed over a gift bag containing a T-shirt and bumper sticker. that was shared with his supporters to encourage them to contribute as well. Norbert Gernes, an 80-year-old retiree, was impressed.

“We desperately need to get the money out of the political system,” he said in an interview afterward. “Because I don’t think we have a Congress that’s representing the people any more.”